Helpful Tips for Planning Your Surprise Proposal in New Orleans

So you decided to propose and New Orleans is the place. First, congratulations on both decisions! There are so many cool, beautiful and romantic places here to pop the question. This is one of those rare occasions I can tell you your proposal photographer is your next most important choice. He or she will be your best friend. From choosing a good location to setting up the surprise and finally having a plan for unexpected rain. We are good at thinking through the details that will make your proposal special and a secret up till you drop to one knee. So here are a few tips and photos from proposals to help you in your planning.

• Choose a location that allows for a quick change if rain is present
• Consider that public places are indeed public. Don't expect to block off an area for privacy unless you book a space through that particular venue.
• Photographing a proposal has its own challenges for photographers. First the light is important, next being able to be inconspicuous while being ready and in place to capture your moment
• Choose a time of day that your photographer suggests. It will make the difference in your photos. Even candid street photographers (which this basically is) choose times of day and locations best for photographs
• Pick a location that fits the clothing you think he/she will want to wear for photos. It often matters. This can be discussed with your photographer.
• I know you are excited and the last thing you want to think about is the light. Just know if one of you is in the shade and the other in the sun your photos are not going to be very awesome. Always best to do it in the shade or if in the sun, you both either need to face it or have your backs to it. If you are on one knee facing her and the sun, your face with be blown out from the sun and hers shaded. I personally prefer not to use flash during the actual proposal, once the surprise is over and a flash going off won't distract her from the moment then I turn it on. But in a situation where you have full sun blasting your face and hers is shaded one of your reactions will not be very visible. Again, ask your photographer. Everyone has their own way of doing proposals.
• Its up to you if you want to hire a proposal planner. I personally find it absolutely ridiculous except in the rarest cases. Complicates a simple and beautiful moment in my not so humble opinion. 
• Lastly, you really have two options when booking your photographer. Either just capture the proposal and a few posed photos after or go out for some street photography, candids and cool artistic portraits. Ones that stay with you forever.

That's it for now. If you would like to book with me I accept a limited number of surprise proposals each year. Give me a call at 504-920-8703.  Inspire me! Lets make it special and simple. And for more proposal photographs check out this link.